Nissan Pulsar (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 10,207 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,361

£197/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1618cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2,361/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1618cc10 years old10,207 tests60k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1618cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,361

Per month£197/mo

Per week£45/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

81% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

81% of MOT tests on Nissan Pulsars from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 10,207 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 59,808 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models435th of 539(bottom 20%)

Rank among Nissan models307th of 635(top half)

vs average of all models-1%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average-4%(85% avg)

vs Nissan average+0%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

59,808

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 Nissan Pulsar had 59,808 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 2014 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2016 scores 81%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Nissan Pulsar by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	89%	3,071	39,561 mi
2017	85%	6,502	50,397 mi
2016	81%	10,207	59,808 mi
2015	77%	12,901	67,457 mi
2014	75%	2,430	73,644 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-3%

Ford Focus

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

80%

-1%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

+5%

Volkswagen Polo

2015 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,750/year

82%

+1%

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About the 2016 Nissan Pulsar

The 2016 Nissan Pulsar is a family car. Our records list a 1618cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 10,207 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 20% of 2016 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 59,808 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Nissan Pulsar owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 Nissan Pulsar Fuel Costs

The 1618cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 Nissan Pulsar?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,361 (£197/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Nissan Pulsar Reliability Trend

Newer Nissan Pulsars pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2016 Nissan Pulsar

At 10 years old, the Nissan Pulsar is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. With 10,207 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 10 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 Nissan Pulsar stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Nissan Pulsar(2016)	81%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£208
Ford Focus(2014)	80%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078-£283
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£581
Volkswagen Polo(2015)	82%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,750-£611

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2016 Nissan Pulsar

Is the 2016 Nissan Pulsar reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of MOT tests on 2016 Nissan Pulsars ended in a pass, from 10,207 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 Nissan Pulsar cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,361 a year (£197 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 Nissan Pulsar?

81% of 10,207 MOT tests on the 2016 Nissan Pulsar ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 435th of 539 models first registered in 2016 (bottom 20%).

Which year Nissan Pulsar has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Nissan Pulsar has the highest MOT pass rate at 89% and the 2014 the lowest at 75%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 Nissan Pulsar?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 Nissan Pulsar is 59,808 miles, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.